Ofcom has launched an investigation into a GB News show hosted by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg after receiving 40 complaints.
The media watchdog has also opened a probe into whether a TalkTV show presented by Alex Salmond breached guidelines after two viewers complained.
The first investigation will look at whether an episode of GB News programme State Of The Nation complied with impartiality rules after Tory politician Sir Rees-Mogg covered a breaking news story about a civil trial verdict involving Donald Trump.
The episode in question saw him discuss a US civil jury’s ruling that Mr Trump sexually abused writer E Jean Carroll in Manhattan in the 1990s.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “We are investigating whether this programme broke our rules, which prevent politicians from acting as newsreaders, unless exceptionally, it is editorially justified.”
The regulator will also investigate an episode of Talk TV’s Richard Tice presented by Alex Salmond, which aired on April 2.
It said it received two complaints in relation to a discussion on whether the SNP was “holding back the course of independence”.
A spokesperson for the media watchdog said: “We are investigating whether this programme broke our rules requiring news and current affairs to be presented with due impartiality.”
The media regulator added that it is still investigating an edition of GB News’ Saturday Morning With Esther And Philip broadcast on March 11 which stars the husband-and-wife duo (Esther McVey and Philip Davies) who are both serving MPs.
The Ofcom rules surrounding politicians presenting programmes were first introduced in 2005.
The media watchdog has said that they are conducting new research to “gauge current audience attitudes” into current affairs programmes presented by sitting politicians given the rise in the format.
This report will be carried out by an independent research agency and Ofcom aim to publish the findings later this year.
